Nurse admits to 'inappropriate relationship' with prison inmate

A nurse has admitted to having an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a prison inmate.

Elyse Hibbs, 25, admitted she become involved with the man while working at HMP Manchester – also known as Strangeways prison.

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She was also involved with the man while working at the category B HMP Parc in Bridgend, Wales, Cardiff Crown Court heard on Tuesday (20 September).

Hibbs has pleaded guilty to one charge of misconduct in a public office and she now faces time in jail.

Another woman who worked at the jail in Wales – Ruth Shmylo, also 25 – is also accused of having an inappropriate relationship with the inmate.

Shmylo – who is also charged with misconduct in a public office - appeared in court alongside Hibbs and did not enter a plea. She must return to court next month.

The prisoner has not been named in the court charges.

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On Tuesday 20 September, Hibbs – from Manchester – was informed ‘all options’ remain open for sentencing after she appeared at Cardiff Crown Court.

Her defence lawyer Adam Sharp explained her plea was on a basis that would require it to be reviewed by the Crown Prosecution Service. Sharp also requested a pre-sentence report.

Hibbs has been told to return to court next month to receive her sentence or a further direction hearing.

Recorder of Cardiff, Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, said: "You have pleaded guilty to what is, as I suspect you know, a very serious offence.

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"I'm going to order a pre-sentence report and bail you to the next hearing.

"You shouldn't read anything into either of those decisions, all options remain open to the court."

The charge against Hibbs – who worked as a nurse - reads: “While acting as a public officer, namely prison nurse, wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted yourself in a way which amounted to an abuse of the public's trust in the office holder by engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a prisoner."

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While the charge against Shmylo states: “While acting as a public officer, namely a prison custody officer, wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted yourself in a way which amounted to an abuse of the public's trust in the office holder by engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a prisoner."

Shmylo will also return to court in October.